UTV Comparison

[covefarm]

Code54, Didn't realize the Mules have a folding seat. Thanks for the reply.

 

[covefarm]

Buppies, good tip re camo not fading. I have seen the Ranger green pretty bleached out. Thanks

 

[4570Man]

Had a Ranger 850 and it worked well. I had to add a larger battery for winching. A buddy had the 570 Ranger and it is not enough engine...he traded it for the 1000 after less than a year, and it is sweet. So much less noise. But they are not cheap!! He has over $20k in it.

I also had a RZR 570 for fun riding. Sold both this year. the 570 was barely enough for the RZR and it can not carry much at all.

You will be spending a lot of money on a toy. I decided a used Jeep ($17k) was a better fit for the off road riding we do plus I can use it as a second vehicle. For the work aspect, I have a 2001 Ram 1500 4WD ($3500 with plow bought 3 years ago). It will carry a lot more stuff and it has a plow and cab. So much better than the 850 for those tasks and I do not freeze my butt off in the winter or get soaked in the rain.

I do not regret selling my UTV's. Expensive toys with limitations

I agree. I have a mule and it’s existent of work is hauling a few tools in the bed. Maybe if it was heavier duty model I would use it more but I have better equipment to use for work. We mostly use it for riding around. If the weather is good I’d rather ride around in the mule as a vehicle. I’ve probably gotten my money’s worth out of the mule but a work vehicle it’s not. I only have a 2wd Mule 600 so I don’t have a work vehicle for the start. I personally believe the solid back axel mules will the steel bed and the Kubota RTVs are the most work capable pieces. If I was wanting compact work vehicle I’d get a little dump trailer to pull behind my B7200. It’s cheap and tough.

 

[Code54]

Your welcome - You can sort of see how the seat is folded in the one photo. Holds 3 in the front and with the seat down in the back can hold 3 more people.

 

[EddieWalker]

I have a Kawasaki Trans Mule that's been great. When I was shopping, I started out looking at used golf carts, and then worked my way into used UTV's and finally figured that with financing being so affordable, that I would look at brand new. I went to just about every dealer that I could think of in my area and was really surprised at the differences. I classified them into two categories. Work and play. The play ones looked like a lot of fun, but not what I was needing. Of the working ones out there, I wanted something that could haul around as many people as possible, haul as much as possible, be reliable, and super easy to get in and out of for elderly people, like my 80 year old parents.

If I was looking for another one today, I would do the exact same thing again and see what's out there. Nothing compares to actually climbing into it and sitting down behind the wheel. It was really surprising to me how different they where from each other. Some where too tight of a fit, some felt awkward to me, others didn't have any storage or their seats where uncomfortable. We are all different, and for me, it came down to Kawasaki and Kubota, with the overall design and functionality of the Kawasaki being more to my liking then the other brands.

 

[ruffdog]

Depending on what the utv will be used for will dictate what features are important. For work, things like power steering, tough drivetrain, and hydraulic dump is important while hunters may like more speed and suspension.

 

[628pm]

Covefarm, My kubota x900 was a good work machine for the 4 years that I had it, by no means was it fast or in my opinion not a true trail machine. I used it with a 25 gal sprayer, boss vplow, and a fertilizer spreader. And of course the rides with the dog just about every day. I am retired so I have some time on my hands.

What led me to the John Deere Gator XUV835M, was the looks, the write ups about the new machine (first year machine). I priced a 590M gator at the john deere dealer within eyesight of my home. It was nice but a little small. I wanted a cab, heater, mirrors, turn signals, snow blade and lights on it. That is when I read about the xuv835m with cab, I priced that one at my local dealer, his price just up way too high. He told me to look around and his price would be good. I looked and his price wasn't good. Priced at a dealer 60 miles away, he gave me a price with my accessories. I called him and to my amazement, this one included HVAC and the prices was several thousand less. So to make a long story short, drove up, test drove one, ordered all the accessories I thought I wanted, now it should be delivered anytime soon. Will write up about it after receipt.

Bill

 

[Navvet]

I'm in the market for a full size UTV and have narrowed it down to several manufacturers & models - Polaris Ranger XP 900, Ranger 570 Full Size, Kawasaki Mule (model TBD) & John Deere Gator (model TBD). The primary uses will be general farm chores including using a 25 gallon electric sprayer, winching small limbs up a bank, retrieving our dogs when they run off. I will also use it to hunt waterfowl - carry hunters, decoys & pull a small trailer. I like the bench seats of the Rangers for carrying 3 passengers. Any recommendations or advice on functionality, durability & problems/breakdowns would be appreciated. Thanks.

Since you mentioned hunting waterfowl, have you looked into the amphib's ?

Just sold my gator and looking at Argo's and Mudd Ox's. Little bit slower but unstoppable in any terrain and highly maneuverable.

Just a thought.

 

[ttener]

I have both a SxS rhino and an argo. They’re really completely different vehicles with different uses entirely. Could I use just one? Sure, but I’d never get into places in the marsh with the rhino like I can with the argo. (Trust me. The rhino came 1st.) Likewise, if I have to run after my dog, I don’t jump into the argo if they’re parked right next to each other.

The argo is next to unstoppable. My buddies have tried every possible way to stick it, but we always get it out eventually. Here’s the big secret tho - if you do manage to actually stick it, the only thing getting it out is another argo.

My rhino has done all the work at my place since I bought it new in 2006. It’s also my go to vehicle for just riding around for fun. Tough as nails. Make sure you get something that offers a “turf mode”. It’s almost 2019 and Yamaha still doesn’t offer that feature on any of their SxS models. Which means that if you care about your lawn, you’re gonna be pissed off. Can’t turn even a wide corner without tearing up sod. I would upgrade tomorrow if they changed that 1 shortcoming...

I hate to say it, but I think you’re going to be hard pressed to find a single vehicle that can pull double-duty as a workhorse and a duck hunter.

 

[Ortimber]

A few guys have mention the new 835 Gator. I bought one about a month ago and it’s absolutely wonderful. 3 across bench seat, high quality cab, and my favorite- a heater. I’m hard pressed to find shortcomings and I think JD will sell a lot of these. As usual, the price is hard to swallow with anything green but for me this was the correct choice.

Note- other players were Polaris and Kubota.